Popular OTC and Rx drugs may induce mental decline for many, large UK study warns

Physicians are advised to review cases of cognitive impairment to see if drugs may be causing the decline.

A large UK medication records study by researchers at University of East Anglia confirms that taking one or more common ‘anticholinergic’ drugs greatly increases the odds we’ll fall prey to mental deterioration – and for the first time confirms increased risk of death among older adults taking these meds.

Average mental status scores among anticholinergic drug takers were 33% lower than for non drug-takers, while risk of death over a 2-year tracking period was 68% greater for those with a high anticholinergic burden. About half of the study population took one or more of the drugs.

• Are classified based on Anticholinergic Burden (ACB score) as “1: mild,” “2: moderate” or “3: severe.” See University of East Anglia website for a list of drugs with their ACB scores. A total score of three or more is considered “clinically relevant.”

"Our findings make it clear that clinicians need to review the cumulative anticholinergic burden in people presenting with cognitive impairment to determine if the drugs are causing decline in mental status," comments co-author Malaz Boustani, MD, a researcher with the Indiana University Center for Aging Research.

Patients: Don’t Panic, Do Divulge All Remedies Taken

Drugs are prescribed for a reason, so never stop taking prescribed drugs without researching and discussing this in collaboration with your professional healthcare team, the researchers warn. But also be sure to keep your physician fully apprised of any over-the-counter drugs you take in addition to those prescribed.